School Liaison Program - Child And Youth Education Services

Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program
“Student Focused…Partnership Driven”

Hello and welcome to team T-COT-A-TU, The Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe, here at Edwards AFB California. My name is Rebecca Balkenbush, and I am honored to serve as your School Liaison Program Manager.

I understand that the education of your children is a top consideration when it comes to a PCS move and I am happy to assist in your children’s educational transition.

I am the primary point of contact for school-related matters and the central point of contact for Commanders, military families, and school districts on preschool – 12^th grade school issues.

Military Child Education is a top priority for Department of Air Force leadership and school quality is an essential factor that impacts retention and readiness. The School Liaison program supports military-connected families by providing a variety of services such as: inbound and outbound transfers, information on local schools and homeschooling, information on educational resources, initiatives and community activities, scholarship and grant resources, and assistance with Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) compliance.

I look forward to meeting you and your family and thank you for your service to our country!

For more information on how the School Liaison program supports military-connected families, please click on Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program below.

OUR MISSION:
The Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program is committed to outreach, advocacy, and partnership initiatives that generate real-time solutions for military-connected students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as they face global, educational challenges and transitions.

Supplemental Educational Resources For Students

Military Child Education Coalition Parent Webinars

Approximately 50 kids attended the final event to the summer reading program, themed "Reading is so Delicious," which ended Aug. 17 at the Main Library. The program kicked off June 8 and was used as a way to bring reading awareness to the Edwards community. As part of the finale, the Health and Wellness Center presented a food demonstration as a way of complimenting this year's theme. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

School Liaison Resources

A student flies an aircraft in a flight simulator during the 27th annual Salute to Youth career fair at the Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center in Lancaster, California, Oct. 11. The flight simulator was provided by the 812th Aircraft Instrumentation Test Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base. The simulator helps engineers showcase some of the work they do at Edwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Grades 6-12

1st Lt. Joshua Rice, 772nd Test Squadron, offers mathematics advice to a Desert Junior-Senior High School student at Edwards Air Force Base, Feb. 19. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program

Coach Charles Eger, 773rd Test Squadron, helps Scorpion Robotics Club member Brayden Maye with computer software coding at Desert Junior-Senior High School on Edwards Air Force Base, California, Feb. 12. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Scholarship Search

A youth group from the Base Chapel's Catholic parish, called The Conquerors, took time to raise funds and donate money to the base’s local Adopt-A-Pet (APET) shelter May 18. APET is a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue shelter for dogs and cats located on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)

Connect schools, families, and communities to meet the unique needs of PreK-12 military-connected students.

Cultivate communication pathways between families, schools, community stakeholders and the military.

Customize real-time solutions for military-connected students facing transitional barriers and educational gaps.

Collaborate with community stakeholders to build a platform for enhanced educational opportunities and partnerships.

Comprehensive professional development for educators to understand the military lifestyle.

Construct a network of extensive resources for building resilient communities.

Create a system of support for military-connected students experiencing parental deployment or separation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How do I contact the Edwards AFB School Liaison Specialist?
2) What school choices do I have for my child?
3) Is there a law that supports military connected students?
4) What Private schools are available?
5) Which schools are the best?
6) How do I know which school my child will go to?
7) I want to home-school my child(ren), what do I need to do?
8) What is needed to register my child?
9) What is a Magnet School? Are All Magnet Schools Gifted in nature?
10) What if my child has Special Needs?
11) What is a Charter School?

Phone Number 661-277-2456 or DSN: 527-2456

5 N Seller Ave Bldg 3000 Edwards AFB, CA 93524

Email: 412.FSS.School.Liaison@us.af.mil

You may send your child to a traditional public school where you live, a public magnet school, a public charter school, a private school or home-school.

Yes, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children uses a comprehensive approach that provides a consistent policy in every school district and in every State that chooses to join. The goal of the Compact is to replace the widely varying policies affecting transitioning military students.

The Compact addresses key educational transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, special education services, eligibility and graduation.

Children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and reserve on active duty orders, and, for one year after leaving service, members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired are eligible for assistance under the Compact. For additional information, please visit the Interstate Compact Commission at www.mic3.net.

Your School Liaison Specialist has listings of private schools in the surrounding areas around Edwards AFB. Information on private schools is also available on the California Department of Education website http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/ps/.

The Private School Directory lists over 1,000 private schools that filed the annual Private School Affidavit and reported enrollments of six or more students. The majority of our students attend schools in Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.

All public schools in California are responsible for California State learning standards. Please review each school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and school climate survey at the link below to determine the best match for your child: http://www.cde.ca.gov/getschoolreport. In addition, please visit CA School Data at http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/ or http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.

The California Education Code 48200 states that where you live determines where your child attends a traditional public school.

You may request a permit to transfer however permits are not always granted from your home school district. If you live on base housing your home school district is the MUROC Joint Unified school district. Please visit their web site to obtain a permit to transfer application at www.muroc.k12.ca.us.

To learn what options your local schools offer, start by asking the public school district in which you live what programs allow schooling at home. A more detailed discussion of the various educational options available is located in the CDE Fact Book 2009 (pages 94-99) on the CDE Fact Book Web page http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/psfaq.asp#D.

Birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residency, and contact info for last school attended. For Kindergarten, a physical examination and dental screening is required. For special needs, a copy of latest IEP and last evaluation. Copy of Cumulative Folder: Current Schedule/Report Cards/Test Scores and Course Descriptions/Grading Scale if available for 6^th grade and above

A Magnet school is a public school operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan offering a specialized curriculum, to a student body representing a cross section of the community. They attract students of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds with similar educational interests, provide unique sets of learning opportunities, encourage innovation, and promote academic gains for students. Not all magnet schools are gifted.

Edwards AFB has the Exceptional Family Member Program – Family Support (EFMP-FS) and the EFMP-Medical. The EFMP-FS Specialist can help navigate and/or connect with community and family support services through:

Information and Referral (before, during, and after PCS) to on-base, local, state, and federal services
Support Services in the form of outreach
Community awareness and education on EFMP

For more information, please call Ms. Stephanie Warner at 277-2950 or for the EFMP-Medical, please contact Mr. Scott Couper at scott.a.couper.ctr@mail.mil.

Expanded Eligibility Pilot Program

Edwards AFB Youth Sponsorship Request Form

Edwards Schools Videos

Video by Richard Gonzales

412th FSS hosts base Youth Art Gallery

412th Test Wing Public Affairs

March 31, 2023 | 1:07

The 412th Force Support Squadron in conjunction the Muroc Joint Unified School District hosted the Youth Art Gallery to showcase the artistic talents of Edwards AFB school-aged children at Club Muroc on Edwards AFB, California, March 31, 2023.